Light mountable on a mounting rail

ABSTRACT

A mounting arrangement for a light or other object includes a clamping arrangement, or a keying arrangement, or both a clamping and a keying arrangement for mounting to different mounting rails having different keying features. The clamping arrangement includes a fixed clamp member and a movable clamp member that is movable towards and away from the fixed clamp member and is biased towards the fixed clamp member, so as to grip a mounting rail therebetween. The keying arrangement employs interchangeable keying members that may be disposed in a recess of the light or other object and that may have different keying features for use with mounting rails having corresponding keying features.

This Application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/627,860 filed Nov. 15, 2004.

The present invention relates to a mounting arrangement for a light orother object that is mountable.

Lights may be held in hand or may be mounted to an object. Lights may bemounted to various objects, such as tools or implements so that theyprovide light directed toward the work area of the working end of thetool or implement. Tools or implements of this sort typically have amounting rail attached thereto, e.g., by the manufacturer, by a selleror by a user. One object to which lights may be mounted is a firearm,such as a handgun or pistol, a long gun or rifle, a shotgun, or anothertype of gun or weapon, any one or more of which are typically referredto as a gun. Gun mountable lights may be for illumination or for aiming,or both. Lights for illumination typically utilize a lamp such as anxenon-filled or a halogen-filled lamp or a high-powered light-emittingdiode (LED) light source. Lights for aiming typically utilize a laserdiode or other laser light source.

The arrangement for mounting such lights on a gun is, for the typicalgun, similar to the arrangement for mounting a telescopic sight on agun. A gun mount, also called a gun rail or a mounting rail, istypically provided in a convenient location that affords aforward-looking view for a light mounted thereon. Because a telescopicsight or other sight is typically mounted on the top or upper surface ofthe gun barrel, a separate mount is often provided on the side orunderside (bottom) surface of the gun barrel, typically near to themuzzle end thereof.

Conventional gun-mountable lights typically have a plastic body havingcleats that slide onto the gun mount and have a spring-loaded cross barthat snaps into a slot on the gun mount when the light is slid onto thegun rail to a desired position. The spring-loaded cross bar providessufficient tension to secure the light on the gun rail when the gun isfired, and has protruding ends that can be manipulated for disengagingthe cross bar so that the light can be removed, i.e. can be slid off ofthe gun rail. Such slide-on mounts typically do not provide a snug fiton the mounting rail, and so there is substantial play which introducesvariation into the direction in which the mounted object points, and sosuch play is generally undesirable.

Different gun manufacturers provide gun rails that differ in shapeand/or size and/or configuration, and some so that a conventionalgun-mountable light can only properly mount on gun rails of particularguns or from particular manufacturers. As a result, a gun owner wouldhave to have different lights for his guns from different manufacturers.In addition, slide-on type gun mounted objects can not mount withoutplay and in a repeatable manner as is necessary for an aiming type ofdevice.

In addition, many conventional gun mounts require a hand placement by auser when attaching or removing the gun-mountable object that may placethe user's hand or part thereof in front of the muzzle, thereby placingthe user in danger of injury should the firearm unintentionallydischarge.

Accordingly, there is a need for a mounting arrangement and for amountable light that may be mounted to mounts of differing size or shapeor configuration. In addition, it would be desirable that a mountingarrangement be easily and quickly mountable and demountable, that itsmounted location be accurate and repeatable, and that mounting anddemounting may be accomplished with safety.

To this end, a mounting arrangement may comprise a fixed clamp memberand an opposing movable clamp member, and a clamping device for biasingand moving the movable clamp member.

According to another aspect, a mounting arrangement may comprise a firstand second clamp members for clamping an object and a keying memberhaving a keying feature that engages a keying feature of a mount.

Further, a light may comprise a light body including a light source anda mounting arrangement as set forth in either of the precedingparagraphs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The detailed description of the preferred embodiment will be more easilyand better understood when read in conjunction with the FIGURES of theDrawing which include:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a mountablelight as described herein;

FIG. 2 comprising FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded isometric views of theexample embodiment of a mountable light of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example embodiment of a mountable light ofFIGS. 1, 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is a view of the example embodiment of a mountable light of FIGS.1-3 showing the light producing end thereof;

FIG. 5 is a view of the example embodiment of a mountable light of FIGS.1-4 showing the mounting arrangement thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the example embodiment of a mountablelight of FIGS. 1-5 taken at section 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the example embodiment of a mountablelight of FIGS. 1-5 taken at section 7-7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the example embodiment of a mountablelight of FIGS. 1-5 taken at section 8-8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an example prior art mounting rail towhich the example embodiment of a mountable light of FIGS. 1-5 may bemounted;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an example electrical circuit boardarrangement useful in connection with the example embodiment of amountable light of FIGS. 1-5; and

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an example electrical circuit boardarrangement useful with the example embodiment of a mountable light ofFIGS. 1-5.

In the Drawing, where an element or feature is shown in more than onedrawing figure, the same alphanumeric designation may be used todesignate such element or feature in each figure, and where a closelyrelated or modified element is shown in a figure, the samealphanumerical designation primed or designated “a” or “b” or the likemay be used to designate the modified element or feature. It is notedthat, according to common practice, the various features of the drawingare not to scale, and the dimensions of the various features arearbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an isometric view and FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded isometricviews of an example embodiment of a mountable light 10 as describedherein, and FIGS. 3-5 are other external views of light 10. Light 10will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 generally. Where a featurebeing described is not visible in one or more of FIGS. 1-5 or may bebetter seen in a particular FIGURE, reference may be made to theparticular FIGURE.

Light 10 has a forward or head end 12 from which light is emitted whenlight 10 is activated and has a rearward or tail end 14 opposite headend 12. Tail end 14 includes, e.g., various switches and controls 32,106, for controlling operation of the light sources of light 10. Light10 further has a mounting face 16 whereat are the various arrangementsfor mounting light 10 to a mounting rail, e.g., a mounting rail 200 of agun, an example of which is shown in and described in relation to FIG.9. The direction between head end 12 and tail end 14 of light 10 may bereferred to herein as “longitudinal” and a direction perpendicularthereto as “transverse.” Thus, light can be said to be emitted from headend 12 of light 10 in or along the longitudinal direction or axis.

Light body 40 of light 10 is the principal structural member thereof,providing various structural features, openings and recesses adapted forthe various mechanisms and electrical components and circuits that maycomprise light 10.

Light 10 is mounted and secured to a mounting rail, e.g., a mountingrail 200 of a gun, by a clamping arrangement 50 and a keying arrangement60 disposed on mounting face 16 of light body 40. Specifically, alongitudinal fixed clamp member 52 extends outwardly from light body 40to provide a surface 52 a against which a side rail 206 of a mountingrail 200 may bear. Opposing fixed clamp member 52 is movable clampmember 54 which is movable toward and away from fixed clamp member 52.Fixed clamp member 52 and movable clamp member 54 define a cavity orspace 41 therebetween into which a mounting rail is placed for beingengaged by clamp members 52, 54, e.g., by engaging respective faces 52a, 54 a thereof. Cavity 41 is sometimes referred to as a rail guidecavity.

Specifically, movable clamp member 54 moves transversely (indicated by astraight double-ended arrow) in recess or channel 43 of light body 40responsive to rotation of clamp screw 56 (indicated by an arcuatedouble-ended arrow). Clamp screw 56 is disposed through hole 44 which isthrough fixed clamp 52 and through a hole 45 coaxial therewith which isthrough a boss on light body 40 to engage a threaded hole 55 in andthrough movable clamp member 54. With a right hand thread, turningclamping screw 56 clockwise causes movable clamp member 54 to movetransversely towards fixed clamp member 52, e.g., for engaging andclamping a mounting rail therebetween. Turning clamping screw 56counterclockwise causes movable clamp member 54 to move away from fixedclamp member 52, e.g., to release a mounting rail therebetween. Clampingscrew 56 may have a left hand thread, in which case the rotationaldirections would be reversed.

Wave spring 58 is disposed on the shank of clamp screw 56 and preferablyis not attached either to screw 56 or to light body 40. Spring 58 isfree to move along the shank of screw 56 and in counterbore 44 b. Wavespring 58 biases movable clamp member 54 towards the clamping area sothat light 10 may be “snapped” onto a mounting rail from the side, afterwhich screw 56 may be tightened from the side of light 10. The biasprovided by spring 58 may be overcome by pressing on the head of screw56 to move screw 56 towards light body 40 thereby to move movable clampmember 54 away from fixed clamp member 52, thereby to aid in snappinglight 10 onto a mounting rail.

To facilitate mounting light 10 in a snap-on, snap-off manner, fixedclamp member 52 may have a chamfer 52 c along an edge thereof thatcontacts a mounting rail 200 for easing its movement with respect to amounting rail 200, or movable clamp member 54 may have a similar chamferalong an edge thereof, or both fixed clamp member 52 and movable clampmember 54 may have respective chamfers along respective edges.

Preferably, hole 44 is counterbored for receiving wave spring 58 which,in addition to biasing clamp member 52 towards clamp member 54, tends toassist clamp screw 56 to resist turning without having to fully seat thehead of screw 56 to the bottom of the counterbore of hole 44, however,screw 56 may be fully seated if desired. Preferably, hole 44 is doublecounterbored in that a smaller-diameter deeper counterbore 44 b ofsufficient diameter for receiving wave spring 58 is provided, and alarger-diameter shallower counterbore 44 a is of sufficient diameter forreceiving the head of clamp screw 56. The depth of smaller-diametercounterbore 44 b beyond the depth of larger-diameter counterbore 44 a ispreferably greater than the fully compressed length of wave screw 58 sothat the head of clamp screw 56 may be advanced into contact with theshoulder formed at the bottom of the larger-diameter counterbore 44 a ofhole 44. Thus, clamp screw 56 may be advanced to a point whereat movableclamp member 54 is biased toward fixed clamp member 52 by wave spring 58or clamp screw 56 may be advanced further to make hard contact betweenclamp screw 56 and both of clamp members 52, 54.

Optionally, but preferably, movable clamp member 54 may have one or moreposts 54 p extending therefrom in a direction towards light body 40 andfixed clamp member 52 for extending into one or more corresponding holes45 p in light body 40 for maintaining a desired alignment of clampmember 54 with respect to light body 40. Posts 54 p help maintainalignment of movable clamp member 54, for example, when movable clampmember 54 moves transversely toward or away from fixed clamp member 52when clamp screw 56 is pressed or released, or when clamp screw 56 isrotated.

The arrangement of light 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 has clamp screw 56on the right side (e.g., as would be viewed by a user pointing the lightaway from himself) when the light is in a “clamp up” orientation, aswould be convenient for attaching light 10 to a mounting rail on theunderside of a weapon using the right hand. Light 10 may have a “mirror”or reversed arrangement of clamping arrangement 50 with respect to lightbody 40 wherein fixed clamp member 52 and clamp screw 56 are on the leftside (opposite to that illustrated) so as to be convenient forattachment to an underside mounting rail with the left hand. In suchmirror arrangement of clamp 50, clamp members 52, 54, and clamp screw56, are on the opposite sides of light body 40 to that illustrated. Botharrangements of light 10 are desirable, because light 10 may be mountedto the underside or to the top side of an object, and because any givenlight 10 may be utilized with either the right hand or the left hand,depending upon the user and the circumstance.

As a result of this arrangement, light 10 may be tightly and accuratelymounted to a mounting rail in a known, fixed and repeatable position, asis important, e.g., where light 10 is or includes an aiming light, suchas a laser 110. In addition, where clamping screw 56 is not fullyadvanced and so movable clamp 54 is held against mounting rail 200 bythe force of compressed wave spring 58, movable clamp member 54 may moveoutward sufficiently to release light 10 from mounting rail 200, therebyallowing for an easy snap-on snap-off mounting and demounting of light10. In a preferable embodiment of clamp screw 56, the head thereofincludes a slot suitable for receiving a coin or a screwdriver fortightening and loosening screw 56, as well a two raised projections tofacilitate finger tightening and loosening.

Having clamp screw 56 (or a suitable fixed alternative) adjusted to anappropriate position will allow light 10 to be mounted and demountedusing the snap-on and snap-off action afforded by movable clamp member54 moving against the bias of spring 58, without having to adjust clampscrew 56 unless a tighter mounting is desired. The clamping action ofclamp arrangement 50 when snapped onto a gun mounting rail has beenfound satisfactory in aiming and firing tests of certain guns, althoughtightening of clamp screw 56 for a more secure mounting may be desirablefor high-powered weapons. Thus, a fixed pin or fixed screw may beutilized in place of screw 56 to provide a button pressable by the userfor mounting and demounting light 10 as is now provided by the head ofclamp screw 56. Having lights 10 with clamps 50 both in non-mirror andmirror arrangements would allow ease of use for both topside andunderside mounting, as well as for right-handed and left-handed users.

Mounting arrangement 50 allows a light 10 or another object utilizingmounting arrangement 50 to be mounted and demounted from a weapon (or atool, implement or other object) from the side thereof, whether thelight 10 or object is snapped on and off or whether clamp screw 56 ispressed as a button or is rotated. This is an advantageous safetyfeature because mounting and demounting can be accomplished with onehand and without the user having to place any part of his body in frontof the muzzle of the weapon.

Clamping arrangement 50 is effective for securing light 10 with respectto both transverse and longitudinal movement. Additional resistance tolongitudinal movement, e.g., as might result from an extreme mechanicaldisturbance or force, as in a discharge of a high-power firearm, may beprovided. Keying arrangement 60 is provided for resisting longitudinalmovement of light 10 along a mounting rail. Keying arrangement 60includes a key member 62 removably disposed in a key recess 42 of lightbody 40. Key member 62 preferably includes a body 63 of similar size andshape to key recess 42 so as to be receivable therein in a suitableposition and with suitable tolerance. Key member 62 has a keying feature64 extending from key body 63, and keying feature 64 is of a size andshape, and in a position, for engaging a corresponding keying feature inthe mounting rail to which light 10 will be mounted.

Because the mounting rails of various guns, tools and other objects towhich light 10 may be mounted can have different configurations, keymember 62 is selected to have a keying feature of corresponding size andshape and position to the keying feature of the mounting rail. Thus, anumber of different key members 62 may be available so that light 10 maybe mounted to mounting rails of different configurations. Key members 62may be interchangeable and replaceable where the size and shape ofkeying body 63 and key recess 42 are predetermined and standardized, asis preferred. Such key members 62 may be made available individually orin sets, or both, and may be provided with a light or as an accessory oroption.

Key member 62 is secured in key recess 42 by key screw 68 which isdisposed through hole 46 of light body 40 and threaded into threadedhole 66 of key member 62. Key member 62 is replaceable by removing keyscrew 68 and then removing key member 62 from key recess 42, and areplacement key member 62 is installed by placing the key body 63thereof in key recess 42, inserting key screw 68 through hole 46 andinto threaded hole 66, and tightening key screw 68. Key screw 68 ispreferably disposed transversely through light body 40 to engage keymember 62.

Because the position of key 62 with respect to light 10, andspecifically with respect to fixed clamp member 52 and movable clampmember 54, is predetermined because the location of key recess 42 oflight body 40 is predetermined, the position of key 64 is alsopredetermined when key member 62 is disposed in key recess 42. Thus, akey member 62 may be particularly adapted for a particular mounting railconfiguration by properly determining the length and width of key 64,the height of key 64 above key member body 63, and the position of key64 on key member body 63.

Because the dimensions and configurations of the various mounting railconfigurations are known, key members 62 properly configured to engageeach configuration of mounting rail may be provided. If light 10 is tobe mounted, for example, to a mounting rail 200 (FIG. 9) having atransverse slot or groove 208 therein, then a key member having aprojecting generally rectangular transverse key 64 as illustrated issatisfactory. The particular shape of key 64 may be less important solong as the faces of key 64 that engage the keying feature of themounting rail (e.g., parallel opposing faces of key 64 that engage thesides of a slot 208 in a mounting rail 200) are of suitable size andspacing. For example, where a keying slot 208 extends the full width ofa mounting rail 200, a corresponding key 64 may be substantially shorterthan the length of slot 208. Key 64 may be rectangular, square,cylindrical, circular, or any other shape corresponding to the shape ofthe keying feature of a mounting rail, or at least the operativesurfaces thereof. in a known, fixed and repeatable position, bothlongitudinally and transversely, as is important, e.g., where light 10is or includes an aiming light, such as a laser 110, or a sight.

Head 20 of light 10 is at the head end 12 thereof and includes thevarious elements relating to providing the light beam emitted by light10. Referring to FIG. 8, for example, head 20 includes a head body 22and a face cap 24 threaded thereon. Lens 26 is held in face cap 24 andis cushioned by a resilient gasket 27 that absorbs shock, e.g., shockgenerated when a gun to which light 10 is mounted is fired.

Reflector 28 is threaded into head body 22 and provides shaping andfocusing of the light produced by light source 360 when light source 360is energized for producing light. Reflector 28 has an opening 29 at therearward end thereof into which light source 360 extends. The threadedinterface between reflector 28 and head body 22 may be sealed, e.g., bya seal or gasket, such as O-ring 25, so as to resist entry of moistureand other undesirable substances. The interface between face cap 24 andlens 26 is similarly sealed by shock absorbing gasket 27.

Cover 30 is at the rearward end 14 of light 10 and light body 40 andcovers the open end of a battery compartment 49 of light body 40. Cover30 provides access to battery cavity or compartment 49 within light body40 wherein are disposed batteries 149, as may be seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and8. Batteries 149 are for providing electrical energy for operating lightsource 360 and/or laser 110 of light 10. Contacts that receive thepositive and negative terminals of batteries 149 may include raisedportions and recessed portions that allow batteries 149 to be connectedonly in the correct polarity.

Cover 30 is urged against light body 40 and held thereagainst by hingedlatch 36 which is hinged on hinge pin 37 which passes through twoopposing coaxial holes in body 40. Latch 36 snaps onto and off of aridge of cover 30 to respectively secure and release cover 30 from lightbody 40. Cover 30 is sealed by gasket 31 under compression from theaction of latch 36 to resist, e.g., entry of moisture into the interiorof light body 40.

In the example illustrated, cover 30 includes a switch actuator 32 thatserves as an ON/OFF actuator for the light source of light 10. Switchactuator 32 has two paddles 34 that extend rearwardly against which auser may press to cause switch actuator 32 to rotate in the clockwise orcounterclockwise direction about the longitudinal axis of light 10 foractuating and deactuating light 10. One of paddles 34 usually tends tobe more convenient for a left handed user and the other for a righthanded user, irrespective of the mounting orientation of light 10 on agun. Actuator 32 is held in place by screw 33 about which it isrotatable, e.g., as may be seen in FIG. 8.

Laser housing 100 is disposed on light body 40 and is typically securedthereon by screws 102. Gasket 108 between housing 100 and body 40provides resistance to entry of moisture and other undesirablesubstances. Laser cartridge 110 includes a laser source 112, a laserlight tube 114 and a laser lens 116 therein for directing a beam oflaser light longitudinally in the same direction as the light from head20, as may be appreciated from FIG. 8. Laser cartridge 110 is held inlaser housing 100 by collar 104 bearing against a rubber grommet 108.Mode selector switch 106 is disposed at the rear of laser housing 100where the toggle handle thereof is convenient for operation by a userfor selecting among various modes, e.g., a laser-only mode, a light-onlyillumination mode, a both laser and illuminating light mode, and aneither laser nor illuminating light mode, i.e. an OFF mode.

Because laser 110 is utilized as an aid to aiming of the firearm onwhich light 10 including laser 110 is mounted, alignment orbore-sighting of laser cartridge 112 relative to the line of fire of thefirearm is desirable. To this end, aiming set screws 122, 124 areprovided for respectively adjusting elevation and windage. The positionof laser cartridge 110 in housing 100 may be adjusted by means of aimingadjustment screws 122, 124 for boresighting a firearm having light 10mounted thereon by mounting arrangement 50.

Specifically, laser cartridge 110 is urged toward housing 100 by spring120, e.g., generally upward and rightward as seen in the view of FIG. 6,and the bias provided by spring 120 may be counteracted by aimingadjusting screws 122, 124. Spring 120 may be a leaf spring 120 asillustrated, or may be a coil spring, a conical spring, or any otherspring, as may be desired. The rearward end of laser cartridge is ableto be moved by elevation adjustment screw 122 and by windage adjustmentscrew 124 because laser cartridge 110 is supported at its forward end bya resilient or rubber gasket 108 that engages a circular flange onhousing 100 and is compressed between collar 104 and a shoulder on lasercartridge 110. Grommet 108 is resilient which allows laser cartridge tobe moved relative to laser housing 100 in response to advancing andwithdrawing elevation and windage adjustment screws 122, 124.

It is noted that laser housing 100 and laser cartridge 110 may beomitted, i.e., may be an optional feature, in which case a cover wouldreplace laser housing 100 on light body 40. Head 20, cover 30, lightbody 40, and laser housing 100 may be of the same or of differentmaterials, such as nylon, plastic or metal, such as an aircraft-gradealuminum, and the various screws, e.g.,screws 33, 56, 68, 102, may be ofsteel or other suitable material. Where body 40 and/or housing 100 areof nylon or plastic, metal inserts may be utilized in the holes thereinto increase the resistance of the various holes to stripping by thescrews that are threaded therein. Lens 26 may be of a plastic, such aspolycarbonate, or a glass. In a preferred example embodiment, lightsource 360 is a three-watt Luxeon light-emitting diode available fromLumileds Lighting LLC, located in San Jose, Calif., laser cartridge 110may be a visible or infrared laser available from Sanyo SemiconductorCorporation, located in Allendale, N.J., and light 10 may be powered bylithium batteries 149.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an example prior art mounting rail 200 towhich the example embodiment of a mountable light 10 of FIGS. 1-5 may bemounted. Other mounting rails of different configuration may beprovided, and may be of different size and/or shape and/or mountingarrangement, although certain “standard” mounting rails, such as theso-called Piccatinny rail configuration, may have become somewhat of a“standard,” although many mounting rails purported to conform to one“standard” or another differ in dimension and/or tolerance from thesupposed “standard.”.

Example mounting rail 200 has a “top” surface 202 that is exposed whenrail 200 is mounted to a gun, tool or other object, wherein the “bottom”surface 204 is against the gun, tool or other object. Surfaces 206define opposing longitudinal sides of mounting rail 200 along which anobject mounted thereon, such as a conventional light, may be slid on andoff, e.g., in the longitudinal direction indicated by the double-endedarrow, or may be clamped over. The light 10 of the present arrangementcan not slide onto rail 200 because keying member 60 thereof willinterfere with rail 200 and prevent a sliding on. As a result, light 10is mounted to rail 200 other than from the end thereof wherein a user'shand might be placed in front of the muzzle of a weapon, and so thekeying feature 60 inherently provides a safety feature that leads a userto mount a light 10 from the side of mounting rail 200, e.g., so thatkeying feature 64 engages slot 208 of mounting rail 200.

Mounting rail 200 has a keying feature 208 to which the object mountedthereon keys or latches as it is slid onto or mounted on rail 200 so asto be held positively in place longitudinally. Keying feature 208 maytypically be a slot 208. The object, e.g., a light, if of the slide-ontype typically has a button or other release for disengaging from slot208 for removal of the object from mounting rail 200.

Mounting rails 200 provided on different firearms, e.g., guns ofdifferent manufacturers and different types of guns of the samemanufacturer, tend to be of different sizes and shapes, as do the rails204 and keying features 208 thereof. Even mounting rails 200 purportingto conform to a particular standard mounting configuration may havesignificant dimensional and tolerance differences. In particular, keyingfeatures 208 of different mounting rails 200 may be of different sizeand different shape, and may be located at different locations onmounting rail 200. This results in the need for different lights and/ordifferent mounting devices to mount on different guns and the like, asset forth in the introduction hereof, i.e. the problem addressed by thelight described herein.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an example electrical circuit boardarrangement 300 useful with the example embodiment of a mountable light10 of FIGS. 1-5. Circuit board arrangement 300 includes a shaped portion310 disposed in a first plane, an elongated portion 320 disposed in asecond plane, a third portion 330 disposed in a plane approximatelyparallel to that of portion 310, a fourth portion 340 in a planeapproximately parallel to that of portion 320, and a fifth portion 350disposed in a plane approximately parallel to that of portion 330.Circuit portions 320 and 340 principally carry various electricalconductors 302 while portions 310, 330 and 350 also support variouselectrical components and elements provided for the operation of lightsource 360 and laser 110. Such circuit components and elements aresoldered or otherwise connected to circuit structure 300, as is known tothose of skill in the art.

Circuit portion 310 has a periphery of predetermined shape, e.g., a “D”shape in the example illustrated, that corresponds to the shape of themounting surface 48 of light body 40 against which it is disposed,thereby to be disposed in a predetermined position relative to lightbody 40 and head 20 mounted thereon. Light source 360, e.g., alight-emitting diode (LED), is disposed generally centrally on circuitportion 310 in an opening 312 therethrough, so that the base of LED 360may bear against or be attached to the mounting surface 48 of light body40, e.g., for the removal of heat from LED 360. As may be seen in FIG.8, this arrangement positions LED 360 on mounting surface 48 of lightbody 40 generally centrally behind reflector 28 so LED 360 extends intoreflector 28 through opening 29 therein and is substantially coaxialtherewith for providing light that is focused and reflected by reflector28.

While LED 360 and reflector 28 are generally centrally located in theexample illustrated, other locations and other predetermined peripheralshapes may be employed for mounting surface 48 and circuit portion 310.Where LED 360 is a high-power LED, light body 40 is preferably ofaluminum or other thermally conductive material, and LED 360 may becoupled to mounting surface 48 with a thermally conductive material,e.g., a thermally conductive grease or a thermally conductive epoxy.Various electrical components relating to operation of LED 360 may bemounted on circuit portion 360 as illustrated.

Circuit portion 310 typically has holes 314 therein for receivingelectrical power selectively from batteries 149, responsive to operationof switch 32. Typically, conductive pins or wires or springs 316 extendforward from batteries 149 through openings in light body 40 to extendinto holes 314 of circuit portion 310 of circuit structure 300 intowhich they are electrically and mechanically secured, such as bysoldering. Wires or pins 316 may be generally straight, or may be bent,serpentine or looped so as to absorb some of the mechanical energygenerated when a firearm to which light 10 is mounted is fired.

Circuit portion 330 has toggle switch 106 connected thereto. Toggleswitch may be, e.g., a three-position switch for selecting among variousmodes of operation of light 10. Among the possible modes are, e.g., onlylaser 110 operable, only light source 360 operable, and both laser 110and light source 360 operable. Whether the selected mode is operating ornot is controlled by ON/OFF switch 30 described herein. ON/OFF switch 30may provide, e.g., for continuous operation in the selected mode, formomentary operation in the selected mode, and OFF.

Circuit portion 350 has laser 110, which is typically a laser cartridge110 including components for providing laser light, connected thereon.As best seen in FIG. 8, laser cartridge 110 has a laser source 112, alaser light tube 114 and a laser lens 116 therein for directing a beamof laser light longitudinally in the same direction as the light fromhead 20.

Circuit structure 300 may be made in whole or in part of a flexibleprinted circuit board material, such as a polyimide. Where circuitportion 310 is utilized for properly positioning LED 360, portion 310 ispreferably relatively less flexible or even relatively rigid, as may beprovided by selection of a type of material therefor, e.g., an FR-4 or aglass epoxy material, or by selection of the thickness of the material,or by providing a stiffening member, typically having the predeterminedperipheral shape of circuit portion 310.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an example electrical circuit boardarrangement 300′ useful with the example embodiment of a mountable light10 of FIGS. 1-5. Circuit board arrangement 300′ differs from arrangement300 in that a separable electrical connector 370 is employed so that theportions 310, 320 a of circuit board arrangement 300′ may be separatedfrom the portions 320 b, 330, 340, 350 thereof. Separable connector 370need provide only a few separable electrical connections, e.g., three,which may be provided by pin and socket pairs or by respective contactareas on ones of electrical conductors 302.

Separable connector 370 may be located so that circuit structure 300′ isseparable at a location along circuit portion 320 as illustrated, or ata location on circuit portion 330, or at a location near the junction ofcircuit portions 320 and 330, as may be convenient and desirable. Asillustrated, separable connector 370 includes two halves, 372 and 374,of which one is a plug and the other is a socket half. Each half maycomprise a plastic body having one or more pins and/or sockets therein,wherein halves 372, 374 comprise a conventional electrical connectorstructure.

For example, circuit portion 320 of circuit structure 300 may beseparated into two portions 320 a and 320 b that overlap for providingseparable connector 370, wherein circuit portion 320 a is associatedwith circuit portion 310 in light body 310 and circuit portion 320 b isassociated with circuit portions 330-350 in laser housing 100. Becauseportions 320 a and 320 b overlap, they will overlap when housing 100 ismounted on light body 40 and ones of conductors 302 will come intophysical contact when the portions 330-350 of circuit board arrangement300′ that are disposed in laser housing 100 overlap and come intocontact with the portions 310-320′ that are disposed in light body 40when laser housing 100 is mounted to light body 40. Thus, the physicalcontact of respective conductors 302 of circuit portions 320 a, 320 bcooperate to provide a separable connector 370. Appropriate plating andsupport can be provided at least in the region of overlap so that theelectrical connections between conductors 302 of portions 320 a and 320b provided thereby are sufficiently reliable.

An advantage of this arrangement 300′ is that the laser housing 100 andits contents may be easily removed from light body 40 and easily mountedthereto by a user, thereby facilitating repair or upgrading from a light10 that does not include a laser 110 by installing a laser housing 100including a laser 110 thereon. Where a light 10 does not include a laser110, a cover in the place and shape of laser housing 100 or in anotherconvenient shape is preferably mounted to light body 40 in place oflaser housing 100.

A light 10 mountable on a mounting rail 200 comprises a light body 40containing a light source 360, a source 149 of electrical energy and aswitch 32, 106 for selectively coupling the light source 360 and thesource 149 of electrical energy in circuit for producing light. Amounting arrangement 50 on the light body 40 is for mounting the lightbody 40 on a mounting rail 200 comprises a fixed clamp member 52 on thelight body 40, a movable clamp member 54 opposing the fixed clamp member52 and movable closer to and farther from the fixed clamp member 52, anda clamping device 56, 58 coupling the movable clamp member 54 and thefixed clamp member 52 for biasing the movable clamp member 54 toward thefixed clamp member 52 and for moving the movable clamp member 54 closerto and farther from the fixed clamp member 52, whereby a mounting rail200 may be clamped between the fixed clamp member 52 and the movableclamp member 54.

A mounting arrangement 50 for mounting an object on a mounting rail 200comprises a fixed clamp member 52 on the object, a movable clamp member54 opposing the fixed clamp member 52 and movable closer to and fartherfrom the fixed clamp member 52, a clamping device 56, 58 coupling themovable clamp member 54 and the fixed clamp member 52 for biasing themovable clamp member 54 toward the fixed clamp member 52 and for movingthe movable clamp member 54 closer to and farther from the fixed clampmember 54, whereby a mounting rail 200 may be clamped between the fixedclamp member 52 and the movable clamp member 54.

A light 10 mountable on a mounting rail 200 comprises a light body 40containing a light source 360, a source 149 of electrical energy and aswitch 32, 106 for selectively coupling the light source 360 and thesource 149 of electrical energy in circuit for producing light. Amounting arrangement 50 on the light body 40 is for mounting the lightbody 40 on a mounting rail 200 having a keying feature 208. The mountingarrangement 50 comprises first and second clamp members 52, 54 on thelight body 40 movable closer together for clamping a mounting rail 200and farther apart for releasing the mounting rail 200, whereby amounting rail 200 may be clamped between the first and second clampmembers 52, 54. The light body 40 has a recess 42 located on the lightbody 40 between the first and second clamp members 52, 54 and a keyingmember 60 removably disposed in the recess 42 of the light body 40, thekeying member 60 having a keying feature 64 that engages the keyingfeature 208 of the mounting rail 200 when the light body 40 is clampedto the mounting rail 200 by the first and second clamping members 52,54.

A mounting arrangement 50, 60 for mounting an object on a mounting rail200 having a keying feature 208 comprises first and second clamp members52, 54 on the object movable closer together for clamping a mountingrail 200 and farther apart for releasing the mounting rail 200, wherebya mounting rail 200 may be clamped between the first and second clampmembers 52, 54. The object has a recess 42 located on the object betweenthe first and second clamp members 52, 54, and a keying member 60removably disposed in the recess 42 of the object, the keying member 60having a keying feature 64 that engages the keying feature 208 of themounting rail 200 when the object is clamped to the mounting rail 200 bythe first and second clamping members 52, 54.

A light 10 mountable on a mounting rail 200 comprises a light body 40containing a light source 360, a source 149 of electrical energy and aswitch 32 for selectively coupling the light source 360 and the source149 of electrical energy in circuit for producing light. A mountingarrangement 50, 60 on the light body 40 for mounting the light body 40on a mounting rail 200 having a keying feature 208 comprises a fixedclamp member 52 on the light body 40, a movable clamp member 54 opposingthe fixed clamp member 52 and movable closer to and farther from thefixed clamp member 52, a clamping device 56, 58 coupling the movableclamp member 54 and the fixed clamp member 52 for moving the movableclamp member 54 closer to and farther from the fixed clamp member 52,whereby a mounting rail 200 may be clamped between the fixed clampmember 52 and the movable clamp member 54. The light body 40 has arecess 42 located on the light body 40 between the fixed clamp member 52and the movable clamp member 54, and a keying member 60 removablydisposed in the recess 42 of the light body 40, the keying member 60having a keying feature 64 that engages the keying feature 208 of themounting rail 200 when the light body 40 is clamped to the mounting rail200 by the fixed and movable clamping members 52, 54.

The light 10 is mountable on mounting rails 200 having keying featuresof different sizes and shapes, and wherein the keying member 60 isselected from a set of keying members 60 for having a keying feature 64of a size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the keyingfeature 208 of the mounting rail 200.

A light 10 comprises a light body 40 including a mounting surface 48having a predetermined peripheral shape, a reflector 28 having anopening 29 adapted for receiving a light source 360 disposed proximatethe mounting surface 48 of the light body 40. An electrical circuitstructure 300, 300′ has at least a portion 310 thereof that has aperipheral shape corresponding to the predetermined peripheral shape ofthe mounting surface 48 that is disposed adjacent the mounting surface48 between the mounting surface 48 and the reflector 28, wherein theportion 310 of the electrical circuit structure has an opening 312therethrough opposing the opening 29 of the reflector 28 and adapted forreceiving a light source 360. A light source 360 is disposed in theopening 312 of the electrical circuit structure 300, 300′ and abuttingthe mounting surface 48 for producing light in response to electricalenergy applied via the electrical circuit structure 300, 300′, whereinthe light source 360 extends into the opening 29 of the reflector 28 forproducing light therein.

In the light 10, the reflector 28 has an optical axis extending throughthe opening 29 therein, the light source 360 has an optical axis aboutwhich light is produced, and the optical axes of the reflector 28 and ofthe light source 360 are substantially coaxial when the light source 360is disposed in the opening 312 of the circuit structure 300, 300′abutting the mounting surface 48 and extending into the opening 29 ofthe reflector 28.

An electrical circuit structure 300, 300′ for a light 10 comprises atleast first and second substantially planar circuit portions 310-350disposed in different planes and having electrical conductors 302thereon. The first planar circuit portion 310 has a peripheral shapecorresponding to the shape of a planar mounting surface 48 adjacent towhich it is adapted to be mounted, and has an opening 312 therein in apredetermined location relative to the peripheral shape thereof, whereinthe opening 312 is adapted for receiving a light source 360. A lightsource 360 is mounted in the opening 312 of the first planar circuitportion 310 for receiving electrical energy from the electricalconductors 316, and a switch 32, 106 is mounted to the second planarcircuit portion 310, 330 for selectively applying electrical energy toat least one of the electrical conductors 302 thereon for selectivelyenergizing the light source 360.

The electrical circuit structure 300, 300′ further comprises at least athird substantially planar circuit portion 350 disposed in a thirddifferent plane and having electrical conductors 302 thereon, and alaser light source 110 mounted to the third planar circuit portion 350,wherein the switch 106 is mounted to the second planar circuit portion330 is for selectively applying electrical energy to at least one of theelectrical conductors 302 thereon for selectively energizing the laserlight source 110.

The electrical circuit structure 300, 300′ further comprises a separableelectrical connector 370, 372, 374 interposed between the first andsecond portions 310, 320, 320 a, 320 b 330 for providing separableelectrical connections therebetween.

As used herein, the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes,formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities andcharacteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximateand/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversionfactors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factorsknown to those of skill in the art. In general, a dimension, size,formulation, parameter, shape or other quantity or characteristic is“about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such.

While the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoingexample embodiments, variations within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention as defined by the claims following will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. For example, while the clamping device isdescribed in the examples herein as a clamp screw 56, other clampingdevices may be employed. One example is a lever having an offset lobethat pulls a rod attached to movable clamp member 54 through hole 44tight as the lobed lever is engaged, and such lever may or may notthreadingly engage a hole in movable member 54. In addition, biasingspring 58 need not be a wave spring, but may be, e.g., a helical orother spring providing suitable bias, if desired.

Although keying members having a projecting keying feature are describedfor engaging mounting rails having a recessed keying feature, the keyingmember may have a recessed keying feature corresponding to a projectingkeying feature of a mounting rail, or the keying member may have bothrecessed and projecting keying features corresponding to projecting andrecessed keying features of a mounting rail. Similarly, keying member 62may have a recess that fits onto a projection from light body 40 inplace of the recess 42 in light body 40 that receives the body 63 of keymember 62.

Where a separate keying member 62 is not employed, clamping device 56may be located in a position wherein it traverses the cavity 41 definedby fixed clamping member 52 and movable clamping member 54 for receivinga mounting rail, so that the shank or shaft of clamping device 56 mayserve as a keying feature for engaging a transverse slot in a mountingrail.

Further, circuit structure 300, 300′ may be a unitary circuit board ormay be an assembly of two or more circuit boards, as may be convenientin a particular instance. In such cases, circuit portion 310 may be of arelatively rigid circuit board material and circuit portions 320-350 maybe of a relatively flexible circuit board material. Alternatively,circuit structure 300, 300′ may be an assembly of circuit boards andelectrical ribbon cable.

Where circuit board 300 is a unitary circuit board made of a flexible orbendable electronic substrate material, circuit portion 310 thereof maybe bonded to a rigid spacer that is, e.g., of the predeterminedperipheral shape for positioning portion 310 relative to mountingsurface 48 and reflector 28.

Optionally, an insulating spacer, e.g. insulator 308, may be interposedbetween one or more portions of circuit board 300, 300′ and light body40, e.g., between circuit portion 310 and mounting surface 48 as shownin FIG. 8, for electrically insulating the conductors on circuitstructure 300, 300′ from body 40 which may be of aluminum or otherelectrically conductive material, but which may be of nylon or plasticor other insulating material. Typically, insulator 308 is of the samegeneral shape as circuit board portion 310 and mounting surface 48,e.g., a “D” shape.

While the light and mount arrangement described herein is described inthe context of a gun and a gun-mountable light, it is contemplated thatthe described mounting arrangement may also be utilized for mountingobjects other than a light and/or for mounting objects other than to agun or other firearm. As used herein, a gun may refer to any firearm,such as a handgun or pistol, a long gun or rifle, a shotgun, or anothertype of gun or weapon. In addition, the light and mounting arrangementdescribed herein may be disposed on the top side of a weapon or otherimplement, or on the bottom thereof, or an either side thereof.

The term “light” is contemplated to encompass any device that producesor otherwise provides illumination of any type and from any source,whether a conventional incandescent or other lamp, a specialized lamp, alaser source, or a solid state light source such as an LED or a laserdiode, irrespective of whether the power source includes one or morebatteries within or without the light or a wire or cable connection to afixed or portable power source wherever located.

Various screws herein, such as key screw 68, housing screws 102, aimingset screws 122, 124, are typically Allen head or Torx head screws, butmay be Phillips head, flat-blade head or other types of screws, asdesired. However, clamping screw 56 is preferably of a type that can beturned using one's fingers or a coin or some other readily availableitem without the need for a tool, although a tool may be used ifdesired. Clamping screw 56, key screw 68, or both, may be a screw, bolt,pin or other suitable fastener.

Further, cover 30 including switch 32 may be replaced by a cover and aremotely operable switch connected by wire or cable, as may be desirablefor utilizing light 10 on a long gun, rifle or shotgun wherein light 10is mounted to a mounting rail 200 proximal the muzzle end thereof andwherein the switch is disposed proximal the trigger or other operatorhand position. Further, mounting rail 200 may be of any suitablearrangement, and may be provided by a weapon provider or by a thirdparty for attachment to a weapon or implement and/or those provided aspart of a weapon or implement, either as an integral part thereof or asan attachment thereto, as the case may be.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/627,860 filed Nov. 15, 2004,entitled LIGHT MOUNTABLE ON A MOUNTING RAIL is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

1. A mounting arrangement for a light mountable on a mounting railcomprising: a light body including a light source, a source ofelectrical energy and a switch for selectively coupling the light sourceand the source of electrical energy in circuit for producing light; amounting arrangement on said light body for mounting said light body ona mounting rail, said mounting arrangement comprising: a fixed clampmember on said light body; a movable clamp member opposing said fixedclamp member and movable closer to and farther from said fixed clampmember; and a clamping device coupling said movable clamp member andsaid fixed clamp member for biasing said movable clamp member towardsaid fixed clamp member and for moving said movable clamp member closerto and farther from said fixed clamp member, whereby a mounting rail maybe clamped between said fixed clamp member and said movable clampmember.
 2. The mounting arrangement of claim 1 wherein said fixed clampmember comprises an elongated longitudinal member on said light body andwherein said movable clamp member comprises an elongated member disposedlongitudinally adjacent said light body opposing said fixed clamp memberand spaced apart therefrom.
 3. The mounting arrangement of claim 1wherein said fixed clamp member has a hole therethrough, and whereinsaid movable clamp member has a threaded hole therein substantiallyaligned with the hole through said fixed clamp member, said clampingdevice comprising a shaft disposed in the hole through said fixed clampmember and having a threaded end engaging the threaded hole of saidmovable clamp member, and a biasing member between said fixed clampmember and an end of the shaft opposite the threaded end thereof forsaid biasing said clamping device.
 4. The mounting arrangement of claim1 wherein said fixed clamp member has a hole therethrough, said clampingdevice comprising a shaft disposed in the hole through said fixed clampmember and engaging said movable clamp member, and a biasing membercoupled between said fixed clamp member and said shaft for said biasingsaid clamping device.
 5. The mounting arrangement of claim 1 whereinsaid movable clamp member has one or more posts extending therefrom in adirection toward said fixed clamp member, wherein said light body hasone or more holes aligned for receiving the posts of said movable clampmember when the movable clamp member is moved toward said fixed clampmember.
 6. The mounting arrangement of claim 1 wherein said light bodyhas a recess located on said light body between said fixed clamp memberand said movable clamp member, further comprising: a keying memberremovably disposed in the recess of said light body, said keying memberhaving a keying feature that engages a keying feature of a mounting railwhen the light body is clamped to the mounting rail by said fixed clampmember and said movable clamping member.
 7. The mounting arrangement ofclaim 6 wherein said light is mountable on mounting rails having keyingfeatures of different sizes and shapes, and wherein said keying memberis selected from a set of keying members for having a keying feature ofa size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the keyingfeature of the mounting rail.
 8. The mounting arrangement of claim 1wherein said clamping device includes a screw or a pin having a headdistal said movable clamp member and at the end of a shaft, wherein theshaft is disposed through said fixed clamp member and engages saidmovable clamp member.
 9. The mounting arrangement of claim 8 whereinsaid clamping device includes a spring disposed between the head of saidscrew or pin and said fixed clamp member for said biasing said movableclamp member toward said fixed clamp member.
 10. A mounting arrangementfor mounting an object on a mounting rail, said mounting arrangementcomprising: a fixed clamp member on said object; a movable clamp memberopposing said fixed clamp member and movable closer to and farther fromsaid fixed clamp member; and a clamping device coupling said movableclamp member and said fixed clamp member for biasing said movable clampmember toward said fixed clamp member and for moving said movable clampmember closer to and farther from said fixed clamp member, whereby amounting rail may be clamped between said fixed clamp member and saidmovable clamp member.
 11. The mounting arrangement of claim 10 whereinsaid fixed clamp member comprises an elongated longitudinal member onsaid object and wherein said movable clamp member comprises an elongatedmember disposed longitudinally adjacent said object opposing said fixedclamp member and spaced apart therefrom.
 12. The mounting arrangement ofclaim 10 wherein said fixed clamp member has a hole therethrough, andwherein said movable clamp member has a threaded hole thereinsubstantially aligned with the hole through said fixed clamp member,said clamping device comprising a shaft disposed in the hole throughsaid fixed clamp member and having a threaded end engaging the threadedhole of said movable clamp member, and a biasing member between saidfixed clamp member and an end of the shaft opposite the threaded endthereof for said biasing said clamping device.
 13. The mountingarrangement of claim 10 wherein said fixed clamp member has a holetherethrough, said clamping device comprising a shaft disposed in thehole through said fixed clamp member and engaging said movable clampmember, and a biasing member coupled between said fixed clamp member andsaid shaft for said biasing said clamping device.
 14. The mountingarrangement of claim 10 wherein said movable clamp member has one ormore posts extending therefrom in a direction toward said fixed clampmember, wherein said object has one or more holes aligned for receivingthe posts of said movable clamp member when the movable clamp member ismoved toward said fixed clamp member.
 15. The mounting arrangement ofclaim 10 wherein said object has a recess therein between said fixedclamp member and said movable clamp member, further comprising: a keyingmember removably disposed in the recess of said object, said keyingmember having a keying feature that engages a keying feature of amounting rail when the object is clamped to the mounting rail by saidfixed clamp member and said movable clamping member.
 16. The mountingarrangement of claim 15 wherein said object is mountable on mountingrails having keying features of different sizes and shapes, and whereinsaid keying member is selected from a set of keying members for having akeying feature of a size and shape that corresponds to the size andshape of the keying feature of the mounting rail.
 17. The mountingarrangement of claim 10 wherein said clamping device includes a screw ora pin having a head distal said movable clamp member and at the end of ashaft, wherein the shaft is disposed through said fixed clamp member andengages said movable clamp member.
 18. The mounting arrangement of claim17 wherein said clamping device includes a spring disposed between thehead of said screw or pin and said fixed clamp member for said biasingsaid movable clamp member toward said fixed clamp member.
 19. Themounting arrangement of claim 10 wherein said object is a lightcomprising a light body containing a light source, a source ofelectrical energy and a switch for selectively coupling the light sourceand the source of electrical energy in circuit for producing light. 20.A mounting arrangement for a light mountable on a mounting railcomprising: a light body containing a light source, a source ofelectrical energy and a switch for selectively coupling the light sourceand the source of electrical energy in circuit for producing light; amounting arrangement on said light body for mounting said light body ona mounting rail in a snap-on, snap-off manner, said mounting arrangementcomprising: a fixed clamp member on said light body; a movable clampmember opposing said fixed clamp member and movable closer to andfarther from said fixed clamp member; and a clamping device couplingsaid movable clamp member and said fixed clamp member for biasing saidmovable clamp member toward said fixed clamp member, wherein saidmovable clamp member is movable away from said fixed clamp member undera force applied to said movable clamp member and is movable toward saidfixed clamp member by the biasing of said clamping device, whereby amounting rail may be clamped between said fixed clamp member and saidmovable clamp member in a snap-on, snap-off manner.
 21. The mountingarrangement of claim 20 wherein said clamping device includes: a headfor receiving the force for moving said movable clamp member away fromsaid fixed clamp member; or a spring for biasing said movable clampmember toward said fixed clamp member; or a head for receiving the forcefor moving said movable clamp member away from said fixed clamp memberand a spring for biasing said movable clamp member toward said fixedclamp member.
 22. The mounting arrangement of claim 20 wherein saidclamping device includes a screw or a pin having a head distal saidmovable clamp member and at the end of a shaft, wherein the shaft isdisposed through said fixed clamp member and engages said movable clampmember.
 23. The mounting arrangement of claim 22 wherein said clampingdevice includes a spring disposed between the head of said screw or pinand said fixed clamp member for said biasing said movable clamp membertoward said fixed clamp member.
 24. The mounting arrangement of claim 20wherein said fixed clamp member has a hole therethrough, said clampingdevice comprising a shaft disposed in the hole through said fixed clampmember and engaging said movable clamp member, and a biasing membercoupled between said fixed clamp member and said shaft for said biasingsaid clamping device.
 25. The mounting arrangement of claim 20 whereinsaid movable clamp member has one or more posts extending therefrom in adirection toward said fixed clamp member, wherein said light body hasone or more holes aligned for receiving the posts of said movable clampmember when the movable clamp member is moved toward said fixed clampmember.
 26. The mounting arrangement of claim 20 wherein said fixedclamp member comprises an elongated longitudinal clamp member on saidlight body and wherein said movable clamp member comprises an elongatedclamp member disposed longitudinally adjacent said light body opposingsaid fixed clamp member and spaced apart therefrom.
 27. The mountingarrangement of claim 26 wherein one or both of said fixed elongatedlongitudinal clamp member clamp member and said movable elongatedlongitudinal clamp member has an elongated longitudinal chamfered edgefor facilitating the mounting in a snap-on, snap-off manner.
 28. Amounting arrangement for mounting an object on a mounting rail in asnap-on, snap-off manner, said mounting arrangement comprising: a fixedclamp member on said object; a movable clamp member opposing said fixedclamp member and movable closer to and farther from said fixed clampmember; and a clamping device coupling said movable clamp member andsaid fixed clamp member for biasing said movable clamp member towardsaid fixed clamp member, wherein said movable clamp member is movableaway from said fixed claim member under a force applied to said movableclamp member and is movable toward said fixed clamp member by thebiasing of said clamping device, whereby a mounting rail may be clampedbetween said fixed clamp member and said movable clamp member in asnap-on, snap-off manner.
 29. The mounting arrangement of claim 28wherein said clamping device includes: a head for receiving the forcefor moving said movable clamp member away from said fixed clamp member;or a spring for biasing said movable clamp member toward said fixedclamp member; or a head for receiving the force for moving said movableclamp member away from said fixed clamp member and a spring for biasingsaid movable clamp member toward said fixed clamp member.
 30. Themounting arrangement of claim 28 wherein said clamping device includes ascrew or a pin having a head distal said movable clamp member and at theend of a shaft, wherein the shaft is disposed through said fixed clampmember and engages said movable clamp member.
 31. The mountingarrangement of claim 30 wherein said clamping device includes a springdisposed between the head of said screw or pin and said fixed clampmember for said biasing said movable clamp member toward said fixedclamp member.
 32. The mounting arrangement of claim 28 wherein saidfixed clamp member has a hole therethrough, said clamping devicecomprising a shaft disposed in the hole through said fixed clamp memberand engaging said movable clamp member, and a biasing member coupledbetween said fixed clamp member and said shaft for said biasing saidclamping device.
 33. The mounting arrangement of claim 28 wherein saidmovable clamp member has one or more posts extending therefrom in adirection toward said fixed clamp member, wherein said object has one ormore holes aligned for receiving the posts of said movable clamp memberwhen the movable clamp member is moved toward said fixed clamp member.34. The mounting arrangement of claim 28 wherein said fixed clamp membercomprises an elongated longitudinal clamp member on said object andwherein said movable clamp member comprises an elongated clamp memberdisposed longitudinally adjacent said object opposing said fixed clampmember and spaced apart therefrom.
 35. The mounting arrangement of claim34 wherein one or both of said fixed elongated longitudinal clamp memberclamp member and said movable elongated longitudinal clamp member has anelongated longitudinal chamfered edge for facilitating the mounting in asnap-on, snap-off manner.
 36. A mounting arrangement for a lightmountable on a mounting rail comprising: a light body containing a lightsource, a source of electrical energy and a switch for selectivelycoupling the light source and the source of electrical energy in circuitfor producing light; a mounting arrangement on said light body formounting said light body on a mounting rail having a keying feature,said mounting arrangement comprising: first and second clamp members onsaid light body movable closer together for clamping a mounting rail andfarther apart for releasing the mounting rail, whereby a mounting railmay be clamped between said first and second clamp members; said lightbody having a recess located on said light body between said first andsecond clamp members; and a keying member removably disposed in therecess of said light body, said keying member having a keying featurethat engages the keying feature of the mounting rail when the light bodyis clamped to the mounting rail by said first and second clampingmembers.
 37. The mounting arrangement of claim 36 wherein said light ismountable on mounting rails having keying features of different sizesand shapes, and wherein said keying member is selected from a set ofkeying members for having a keying feature of a size and shape thatcorresponds to the size and shape of the keying feature of the mountingrail.
 38. The mounting arrangement of claim 36 wherein the recess ofsaid light body is generally rectangular, and wherein said keying memberhas a key body that fits into the recess of said light body in apredetermined location and has a key feature on said key body.
 39. Themounting arrangement of claim 38 wherein said key body is removablyretained in the predetermined position in the recess of said light bodyby a fastener through said light body.
 40. The mounting arrangement ofclaim 38 wherein said key feature includes a projection extending fromsaid key body.
 41. The mounting arrangement of claim 36 wherein saidfirst clamp member comprises an elongated longitudinal clamp memberfixed on said light body and wherein said second clamp member comprisesa movable elongated clamp member disposed longitudinally and movablyadjacent said light body opposing said fixed clamp member and spacedapart therefrom.
 42. The mounting arrangement of claim 41 wherein one orboth of said fixed elongated longitudinal clamp member clamp member andsaid movable elongated longitudinal clamp member has an elongatedlongitudinal chamfered edge for facilitating the mounting in a snap-on,snap-off manner.
 43. A mounting arrangement for mounting an object on amounting rail having a keying feature, said mounting arrangementcomprising: first and second clamp members on said object movable closertogether for clamping a mounting rail and farther apart for releasingthe mounting rail, whereby a mounting rail may be clamped between saidfirst and second clamp members; said object having a recess located onsaid object between said first and second clamp members; and a keyingmember removably disposed in the recess of said object, said keyingmember having a keying feature that engages the keying feature of themounting rail when the object is clamped to the mounting rail by saidfirst and second clamping members.
 44. The mounting arrangement of claim43 wherein said object is mountable on mounting rails having keyingfeatures of different sizes and shapes, and wherein said keying memberis selected from a set of keying members for having a keying feature ofa size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the keyingfeature of the mounting rail.
 45. The mounting arrangement of claim 43wherein the recess of said object is generally rectangular, and whereinsaid keying member has a key body that fits into the recess of saidobject in a predetermined location and has a key feature on said keybody.
 46. The mounting arrangement of claim 45 wherein said key body isremovably retained in the predetermined position in the recess of saidlight body by a fastener through said object.
 47. The mountingarrangement of claim 45 wherein said key feature includes a projectionextending from said key body.
 48. The mounting arrangement of claim 43wherein said first clamp member comprises an elongated longitudinalclamp member fixed on said object and wherein said second clamp membercomprises a movable elongated clamp member disposed longitudinally andmovably adjacent said object opposing said fixed clamp member and spacedapart therefrom.
 49. The mounting arrangement of claim 48 wherein one orboth of said fixed elongated longitudinal clamp member clamp member andsaid movable elongated longitudinal clamp member has an elongatedlongitudinal chamfered edge for facilitating the mounting in a snap-on,snap-off manner.
 50. A mounting arrangement for a light mountable on amounting rail comprising: a light body containing a light source, asource of electrical energy and a switch for selectively coupling thelight source and the source of electrical energy in circuit forproducing light; a mounting arrangement on said light body for mountingsaid light body on a mounting rail having a keying feature, saidmounting arrangement comprising: a fixed clamp member on said lightbody; a movable clamp member opposing said fixed clamp member andmovable closer to and farther from said fixed clamp member; a clampingdevice coupling said movable clamp member and said fixed clamp memberfor biasing said movable clamp member toward said fixed clamp member andfor moving said movable clamp member closer to and farther from saidfixed clamp member, whereby a mounting rail may be clamped between saidfixed clamp member and said movable clamp member; said light body havinga recess located on said light body between said fixed clamp member andsaid movable clamp member; and a keying member removably disposed in therecess of said light body, said keying member having a keying featurethat engages the keying feature of the mounting rail when the light bodyis clamped to the mounting rail by said fixed and movable clampingmembers.
 51. The mounting arrangement of claim 50 wherein said fixedclamp member comprises an elongated longitudinal member on said lightbody and wherein said movable clamp member comprises an elongated memberdisposed longitudinally adjacent said light body opposing said fixedclamp member and spaced apart therefrom.
 52. The mounting arrangement ofclaim 50 wherein said fixed clamp member has a hole therethrough, saidclamping device comprising a shaft disposed in the hole through saidfixed clamp member and engaging said movable clamp member, and a springcoupled between said fixed clamp member and said shaft for said biasingsaid clamping device.
 53. The mounting arrangement of claim 50 whereinsaid movable clamp member has one or more posts extending therefrom in adirection toward said fixed clamp member, wherein said light body hasone or more holes aligned for receiving the posts of said movable clampmember when the movable clamp member is moved toward said fixed clampmember.
 54. The mounting arrangement of claim 50 wherein said light ismountable on mounting rails having keying features of different sizesand shapes, and wherein said keying member is selected from a set ofkeying members for having a keying feature of a size and shape thatcorresponds to the size and shape of the keying feature of the mountingrail.
 55. A mounting arrangement for mounting an object on a mountingrail having a keying feature, said mounting arrangement comprising: afixed clamp member on said object; a movable clamp member opposing saidfixed clamp member and movable closer to and farther from said fixedclamp member; a clamping device coupling said movable clamp member andsaid fixed clamp member for biasing said movable clamp member towardsaid fixed clamp member and for moving said movable clamp member closerto and farther from said fixed clamp member, whereby a mounting rail maybe clamped between said fixed clamp member and said movable clampmember; said object having a recess located on said object between saidfixed clamp member and said movable clamp member; and a keying memberremovably disposed in the recess of said object, said keying memberhaving a keying feature that engages the keying feature of the mountingrail when the object is clamped to the mounting rail by said fixed andmovable clamping members.
 56. The mounting arrangement of claim 55wherein said fixed clamp member comprises an elongated longitudinalmember on said object and wherein said movable clamp member comprises anelongated member disposed longitudinally adjacent said object opposingsaid fixed clamp member and spaced apart therefrom.
 57. The mountingarrangement of claim 55 wherein said fixed clamp member has a holetherethrough, said clamping device comprising a shaft disposed in thehole through said fixed clamp member and engaging said movable clampmember, and a spring coupled between said fixed clamp member and saidshaft for said biasing said clamping device.
 58. The mountingarrangement of claim 55 wherein said movable clamp member has one ormore posts extending therefrom in a direction toward said fixed clampmember, wherein said object has one or more holes aligned for receivingthe posts of said movable clamp member when the movable clamp member ismoved toward said fixed clamp member.
 59. The mounting arrangement ofclaim 55 wherein said object is mountable on mounting rails havingkeying features of different sizes and shapes, and wherein said keyingmember is selected from a set of keying members for having a keyingfeature of a size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape ofthe keying feature of the mounting rail.